In 2026, As For Me And My House

So, here we are right in the middle of the time between Christmas and New Year’s. I had no idea that this period had a name: It’s commonly called “Twixmas.” Another name is “Festive Gap”, but by far my favorite (and most appropriate for the Woods’ Home), it’s called “Feral Week.”

If you’re anything like me, you certainly don’t accomplish much during this time. It is a time for relaxing, watching TV in your pajamas, and eating like garbage! It’s also a time to avoid responsibilities, or as much as you’re able at least! It’s easy to become a procrastinator during Feral Week and allow “future you” to worry about it later. We all need time to slow down and catch up.

I also pray that while you’re in between binge – watching TV in your recliner, eating Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes, napping, and playing with your new toys, you’ll be sure and spend a bit of time with God this week. After all, this is a good time with the slower pace to sit with the Lord and take an inventory of where we stand. It’s a good time look backward to the past, to see what we learned, and to look within ourselves and see where we stand physically, emotionally, and most importantly, spiritually. We humans are what are called “tripartite” beings and if any one of those parts (physical, emotional, spiritual) are out of whack somewhere, it affects the others sooner or later. It can often show up in broken or lack of sleep.

The last few weeks, I’ve had an awful time of sleeping thru the night. There are some nights I’m sure I see every hour of the clock. Then, there are others where I might wake up at 2 AM and stay awake a couple of hours. Usually, if I don’t fall back asleep pretty quick, I lay there on my back and just say, “Okay, Lord, I’m listening. What is it?” Regrettably, some nights He’s silent.

Then, there are nights like earlier this week, when He puts a verse on my heart that just repeats itself over and over. This week, it was the words of Joshua: “... Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) This being one of those nights where I could tell I wasn’t going back to sleep anytime soon, I threw the covers off and went to my “Secondary Office,” - my recliner. So once there, I turned to the 24th chapter of Joshua and I’d like for us to do that this morning as well.

As you turn there, understand that by this time, Joshua, far advanced in age, has called all the tribes of Israel together– their elders, officers, etc. – to this place called Shecham. As I was reading what ends up being Joshua’s Farewell Address, I wondered about how many battles lie in the rearview mirror of this old warrior. Well, a quick study revealed that over a span of 7 years he defeated 31 kings, conquering their cities and fought no less than 13 major battles on behalf of Israel. Let’s now read this great warrior’s last speech to his people whom he’s fought so hard for.

[ Read Joshua 24:1-28 ]

Now, here towards the sunset of his life, just as we are at the sunset of 2025, Joshua first looks backward, then looks within and makes a decision, then lastly, looks forward to the future! That’s what I would like us to do this morning as well.

The first thing we need to do is….

1. LOOK BACK!

We’ve got to look backwards and see where we’ve been. Looking backwards can serve to make sure our path is straight. We can’t always know what the future holds, but we certainly remember the past. I don’t know what 2026 holds for any of us, but rest assured, God is already there! There won’t be a thing happen to you in 2026 that isn’t for God’s purposes!

As you think back, hasn’t He been so faithful to us? You are sitting here this morning 100% proof that God has brought you thru every storm successfully this year has hit us with! As I said last week, every storm has an expiration date… Every dark night eventually turns into day! True, some are longer lasting than others, but always remember, “… this too, shall pass!”

Maybe at some point this year, you were heading into a category 5 financial hurricane… a sickness or health hurricane… a legal hurricane… a relationship hurricane… but by God’s grace, you’re still standing! As long as there’s breath in these lungs, there is still fight! God’s not done with us yet! He’s undefeated in battle! Never once failed or forsaken us! Not now… not ever! And let me tell you this morning, He’s going to walk every step of the way with you in 2026! Trust Him!